’Tis the Season

Every year some singer or singers mar the Christmas carols by mispronouncing the word “Israel.” They sing out clearly and plainly “Is-rye-el.” Where do they get this abomination of the word? Look it up, and you’ll find this is wrong. It may be from their “little knowledge is a dangerous thing” bones. In Latin the “ae” is pronounced like a long “I” in English. But if you pronounce that word that way in this song, then there is no “e” left for the last syllable “el.”

Last night on the program following (I think), the wonderful West Point Holiday special, a young man sang a solo The First Noel, with the line, “Born is the King of Israel.” He seemed to exaggerate the mispronunciation, as if trying to show the audience how to say it. Man, did he goof! As I say, look it up. ♥